i've heard it can be overwhelming...registering: round ii

If round one was overwhelming, round two was just the opposite. As I'd mentioned we planned on looking at a couple of pieces at Bloomie's that we were thinking about adding. We had pretty specific pieces in mind, but also figured we'd do some looking...this plan had been formed before we had discussed adding another registry location.

I guess we could have checked out some basics in bed and bath, but having been warned the first time out against registering too early for these seasonally changing items we've let them fall off our radar. Foundation pieces shouldn't change though. Comforter, pillows...maybe next time.

Fortunately we also planned to start our registry at location number two: Crate & Barrel.

Even this stop was kind of a bust. I will credit it to David not feeling well and the lingering disappointment from stop one {not to mention our poorly formed - and changed - plan}.

In other news on the registry front, Kim Kardashian has created a bit of hubbub surrounding her registry, having registered for many high ticket items totaling well over $100,000. Honestly, I wasn't blown away by this news. They are multi-millionaires with multi-millionaire friends. It makes sense.

Then, on the other end of the spectrum, there is Tony Romo, who registered for things that cost less than a single dollar. Really? I understand not wanting to ask for extravagant gifts when you have money of your own. But in that case I say why register at all? Instead of registering for things that your fortunately-funded guests can afford to buy that you may not normally treat yourself to, you ask them for things you could easily purchase for yourself? That seems even crazier to me.

We realized from our own trips out that we are likely going to register for much more than we could possibly receive and that there are things on our registry that some may think are simply too expensive. We have a clear and simple stance on the process: register for things we want. We are registering for gifts at a range of prices, but we're simply not going to register for things that we wouldn't buy {or treat ourselves to} if given the opportunity. We have no expectations as to what registering for the higher-end items will bring. What is the alternative? Scaling back our tastes and registering for different items simply because they cost less?

Not if that means registering for things we wouldn't buy ourselves.

In general, if I receive a gift that I don't think I'll actually use I feel extreme guilt in accepting it. I don't care if it cost nothing. I hate waste. Food, gifts, and especially money. I hate to feel that someone has spent money {and their time} on a gift that doesn't get used. I think this feeling would be amplified if I asked for something I didn't really want.

The typical argument that that isn't the point of a gift {the point being the thought the purchaser put into the gift and the intention of love behind it} is made moot by the fact that this is one situation that we are picking the list.

Other notes: Not everyone purchases from the registry and we can always buy what's left on our list!

So, what do you think? Can you register for too much or too expensive?

Any opinions on buying off-registry?

Similarly, what are your thoughts about disseminating sale info for the stores at which you've registered? I wouldn't know how one would put the info out there without appearing tacky, but from the guest perspective wouldn't it be nice information to have. If you can buy something at a discount when you planned on buying it anyway then what's the difference? Thoughts?